Alison "Ali" Cohen

"I really appreciate Alison's very careful and intentional use of language, along with her validating each person's experience as normal and her clear social justice orientation."

"Alison’s facilitation skills are literally the best I have ever seen in practice. It is clear that she is intentional in everything she does while leading workshops."

"Whenever I'm in your (online) presence, I feel this capacity for allowing my emotions to be there, and feel moved to tears. Thank you for offering this presence that allows me to feel safe, connected to what is."

"Alison, you are the best. It is hard to describe the tremendous impact working with you has had on me this year. Thank you for your patience, cheerfulness, encouragement, and support."

"Alison, you are an absolute pleasure to meet and work with. You have helped me on both personal and professional levels and I am very grateful for the time we had together! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your feedback, resources, and understanding."

"Alison is very patient and resourceful. She helps find solutions to struggles you may have in a collaborative way. Alison listens to my concerns and assists me with not only becoming a better teacher for the students but also knowing how to care for myself."

“You have truly helped me in finding myself as a person. Before mindfulness I was very nervous all the time about my sports, but now I encourage myself and tell myself that I can do it.”

"Our teacher…every time one student does something to get her mad…before [mindfulness] she would scream at him, but now, this mindfulness, you could see her, she is in control of her mind…”

“I also think everyone else should learn [mindfulness] because I know there’s a lot of people out there who need it desperately. Adults do need it … it’s just really good to make yourself feel better- it’s like taking all of the stresses of your life and putting it to the side for this moment … takes the sadness out of their head and puts some happiness into their lives.”

"Alison is loving, knowledgeable, caring, understanding, and has an easy, simple, and gentle way of explaining the things I can't understand."

"I so appreciate Alison's capacity for holding space, for creating an inviting and inclusive environment in a short time, and for modeling mindfulness with her presence and supportive responses.”

"Both student and teacher evaluations about the program [that you helped me design] were amazing! I just could not believe how much they appreciated and felt mindfulness has been useful for their lives... Your contribution has been very very valuable, no words to express my gratitude."

"Alison was a godsend to our school."

"Alison truly cares about the well-being of the people that she works with. She always checks in to see what head space you are in and she leads with love and understanding." ~ Brooklyn school leader who engaged in coaching with Alison

"I feel really grateful for is having had the experience of watching the two of you lead this class. We talk a lot in SPA about values-based leadership, and I think the two of you are examples of what it can look like to lead from your values, to interact with the world with such kindness and compassion. And to know that in order to demonstrate value and care for others, it’s important to also demonstrate that to yourself."

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